Bamboo Production and Propagation Methods

Bamboo Production and Propagation Methods BAMBOO PRODUCTION AND PROPAGATION METHODS Ben G. Bareja TABLE OF CONTENTS Title Page FOREWORD 2 BRIEF PROFILE AND USES OF BAMBOO 2 RECOMMENDED BAMBOO SPECIES 3 PLANT PROPAGATION AND NURSERY MANAGEMENT Asexual Propagation Methods 4 a. Clump Division 4 b. Basal Culm Division or Offset 5 c. Culm 5 d. Culm Cutting 6 e. Branch Cutting 8 f. Marcotting or Air Layering 8 g. Twig Cutting 9 h. Integrated Mass Propagation Technique 9 Hardening 9 BAMBOO FARM ESTABLISHMENT AND MANAGEMENT Farm Plan Preparation 10 Lay-out Plan Preparation 10 Clearing 12 Field Lay-out 12 Holing and Pre-planting Preparation 13 Planting 14 Replanting 14 Watering 14 Weeding 15 Mulching 15 Copyright 2010 @ cropsreview.com 1 Bamboo Production and Propagation Methods Covercropping 15 Crop Protection 16 Fertilization 16 Pruning 16 Thinning 17 Roguing 17 Cash Crop Intercropping 17 Harvesting 17 REFERENCES 18 FOREWORD I began to be intrigued with bamboo about 20 years ago. This propelled me into a vigorous search for information on the biology, uses, propagation, farm establishment, and everything having any relation to bamboo production. It was difficult at the time because of my provincial location and the absence of electronic communication. Nonetheless, the publications that I managed to acquire tremendously enhanced my awareness on the environmental and economic potentials of bamboo. In 1993, I authored a continuing program on greening and environmental enhancement which I proposed to my university employer for campus-wide adoption. This proposal included the establishment of a Bambusetum. But it was only in 1998, shortly after leave, that the bamboo collection plan was started. As I wrote this, I always had in my mind my sister’s new farm in the province of Sarangani which is yet to be developed under my guidance. It is bounded by a river and a stream with a few clumps of naturally-growing bamboo belonging to four species. The practical advices and recommendations presented here, although specific to bamboo, will also find application in other agricultural crops and in any crop farming system. BRIEF PROFILE AND USES OF BAMBOO Bamboo or kawayan is a woody perennial belonging to the family of grasses, Gramineae (Poaceae), with unique qualities and versatile uses. The bamboo culm or pole is ideal as an inexpensive source of material for housing and construction, scaffolding, furniture, handicraft, banana props, fishpens, agricultural implements and carts, musical instruments, boat outrigger, pulp and paper manufacture, toys, industrial products such as bamboo tiles and plywood, and many more. It is commonly planted along river banks and Copyright 2010 @ cropsreview.com 2 Bamboo Production and Propagation Methods waterways to hold the soil in place and to check soil erosion. The young shoots (dabong or tambo) of certain species are ideal for food either fresh or canned. Harvesting of culms can be started in 3-5 years. This is a clear advantage even over fast growing trees because of quick return of investments. Recently, the Philippine government launched the Engineered Bamboo or e- Bamboo Project which aims to supply at least 25 percent of the desk requirement of DepEd. At the forefront of the project are the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) through the Cottage Industry Technology Center (CITC). In 1997, there was an estimated total area of 3,040 hectares of private plantations of bamboo in the country with varying farm sizes up to 434 ha. Of these, 1,043 ha are located in Luzon while 312 ha are in Visayas. 1,685 ha are in Mindanao, most of which are located in Davao del Norte and planted to laak bamboo for banana props. Most large plantations are owned by corporate organizations. RECOMMENDED BAMBOO SPECIES There are more than 1,000 species of bamboo worldwide. In 1996, it was documented that there were 62 native and introduced species of bamboo in the Philippines with various growth habits including clump- and nonclump-forming, erect and climbing types. Twenty one (21) of these are endemic or native to the country. Thirteen (13) are climbers and 8 are erect. For farm establishment, agroforestry or engineered bamboo, the following species are highly recommended: 1. Giant bamboo or apos (Dendrocalamus asper); 2. Botong, bolo, patong or buljuiawa (Gigantochloa levis (Blanco) Merr.); 3.Thorny bamboo, spiny bamboo, kawayan tinik, kawayan totoo or tamlang (Bambusa blumeana Schultes). 4. Bayog (Bambusa sp. but formerly named Dendrocalamus merrillianus) Other important species which are grown in private plantations are laak (Sphaerobambos philippinensis), kawayan-kiling or lunas (Bambusa vulgaris) and buho or bagakay (Schizostachyum lumampao). Machiku (Dendrocalamus latiflorus), which is an introduced species, is internationally known for vegetable (shoot) production. Copyright 2010 @ cropsreview.com 3 Bamboo Production and Propagation Methods Two other introduced species, a mottled bamboo and the buddha’s belly (Bambusa ventricosa) which has short, swollen internode, are gaining popularity for the bahay kubo and furniture-making industry. PLANT PROPAGATION AND NURSERY MANAGEMENT Asexual Propagation Methods Bamboo can be propagated through sexual or asexual methods. Sexual method is with the use of seed, as in annual crops like rice, corn and beans. However, this method is unreliable and rarely known because seeds of bamboo are not available. In fact, only a few people are aware that bamboos produce seeds. It may take a century or even more for certain species to produce seeds, and the exact period for this to occur is impossible to predict. Asexual propagation is with the use of vegetative planting materials such as clump division, rhizome, offset, culm, culm cutting, branch cutting, marcotted culm and branch cutting and twig cutting. The protocols for tissue culture or micropropagation of some species of bamboo have been established but this method is beyond the means and expertise of ordinary farmers. The same is true for airponics which induces rooting without soil under oxygen-rich condition. Propagation through asexual or vegetative means can be done anytime of the year provided that there is sufficient supply of water and the planting materials are protected against dessication and excess heat. The following methods are available to any conventional nurseryman and farmers: a. Clump Division This method will ensure maximum survival. It is preferred when there is a need for rapid production of planting materials or when the planting material is intended to be planted immediately in another site without undergoing the tedious and time-consuming process of producing potted, rooted seedlings. This is ideal for clump-forming species which are difficult to propagate using culm and branch cutting like buho or bagakay (Schizostzchyum spp.). It is also widely applied in the propagation of ornamental species such as hedge bamboo (Bambusa multiplex) and dwarf buddha’s belly (Bambusa ventricosa), especially when the mother plant is potted. The procedures are easy and basically the same as those employed in dividing any tufted grass like lemon grass or tanglad (Cymbopogon citratus) into basal segments having several tillers. But in thick clumps of bamboo with fully grown culms, a digging bar Copyright 2010 @ cropsreview.com 4 Bamboo Production and Propagation Methods consisting of a G.I. pipe as handle with a piece of sharpened, flat truck spring welded at one end is needed to separate a segment of the clump. Immediately after separation from the mother clump, the planting material should be planted with the culms generally shortened or potted into appropriate containers. This method will allow only a limited number of planting materials to be extracted from the mother clump. It will also affect the productive capacity of the remaining clump. b. Basal Culm Division or Offset This method consists of the production of planting materials using rhizomes and portion of the culm. It is commonly used in nonclump-forming or running bamboos but it can also be applied to clump-forming species with loose clumps where individual rhizomes or offsets can be conveniently separated from the mother clump. Most important erect bamboos in the Philippines are clump-forming types. The procedure involves digging undergrown to expose the rhizome or basal parts of the culm and separating it by cutting through the point of attachment with the mother clump. Proper care should be exercised to prevent injury to the rhizome. c. Culm Culms with developed branches can be used as planting material either whole or cut into long segments with multiple number of nodes. This method is effective in bamboo species which can be easily propagated using culm cuttings such as giant bamboo, bayog, kawayan tinik, kawayan-kiling and botong. Ideally, the culm should be 1-2 years old. The branches should first be removed with the use of a sharp bolo or pruning shear but the basal, swollen portions attached to the culm in each node are retained uninjured. It is important that these are retained because it is from these organs that shoots and roots of the new seedlings will develop. Practical Method 1: It is difficult to identify culms of certain ages, unless blanket harvesting is practiced or tagging is done. For practical application, harvest culms for propagation with detached leaf sheaths and with abundant fully developed branches. Practical Method 2: Observe extra care in cutting down a leaning bamboo culm. The culm will likely drop suddenly without being disconnected at the uncut portion. The culm may split starting from the cut and thrust upward with tremendous force and hit you. To prevent this, always make the first cut at the inner angle of slant. The best place to propagate the culm is along a sandy river bank at a time when there is no expectancy of floods for the next two months. This is to prevent the culm from floating and being carried downriver or be covered by thick debris.

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